Quotes from a lengthy and insightful article by Newsweek’s International Editor Fareed Zakaria, “Beyond Bush: What the World Needs Is an Open, Confident America,” June 11, 2007, issue: LINK
“America, however, will have to move on (after Bush’s presidency) and restore its place in the world. To do this we must first tackle the consequences of our foreign policy of fear. Having spooked ourselves into believing that we have no option but to act fast, alone, unilaterally and pre-emptively, we have managed in six years to destroy decades of international goodwill, alienate allies, embolden enemies and yet solve few of the major international problems we face.”
(…)
“The problem today is not that America is too strong but that it is seen as too arrogant, uncaring and insensitive. Countries around the world believe that the United States, obsessed with its own notions of terrorism, has stopped listening to the rest of the world.”
(…)
“True, the United States faces a complicated and dangerous geopolitical environment. But, it is not nearly as dangerous as when the Soviet Union had thousands of missiles aimed at American, European and Asian cities and the world lived with the prospect of nuclear war. It is not nearly as dangerous as the first half of the 20th Century, when Germany plunged the globe into two great wars.”
Zakaria discusses the ramifications of Bush’s policies; Iraq and Iran; the 2008 presidential candidates with an opinion as to which might best shape America’s future; and how America can overcome her now negative image in the world. He concludes:
“It is easy to look at America's place in the world right now and believe that we are in a downward spiral of decline. But, this is a snapshot of a tough moment. If the country can keep its cool, admit to its mistakes, cherish and strengthen its successes, it will not only recover but return with renewed strength. There could not have been a worse time for America than the end of the Vietnam War, with helicopters lifting people off the roof of the Saigon embassy, the fallout of Watergate and, in the Soviet Union, a global adversary that took advantage of its weakness. And yet, just 15 years later, the United States was resurgent, the USSR was in its death throes and the world was moving in a direction that was distinctly American in flavor. The United States has new challenges, new adversaries and new problems. But, unlike so much of the world, it also has solutions — if only it has the courage and wisdom to implement them.”
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4 comments:
Frodo watched the Incomparable Moron being fondled by the people of Albania, and he wondered if the President of the United States of America even understood what his position represents? People, everywhere, need an outstretched hand, a sympathetic face, and words of encouragement. Money is nice, but it isn't the answer to everything. Sometimes people just need to know that they don't face the future all alone. What an absolute shame that we have invested six-and-a-half years (so far) polishing our arrogance, instead of shining our star.
A lovely comment, Mr. Frodo. You will be encouraged to know that Zakaria thinks Barack Obama has the right stuff to pull this country up by its bootstraps. BJ
Fareed Zakaria is right on, about America being able to recover from the the swamp of the Bush years!
Unfortunately, Zakaria supported Bush on the Iraq war.
Airth 10, that's very interesting. Thanks for pointing that out. Like so many others who have the advantage of hindsight, I guess Zakaria has had an epiphany. I never fell for it myself. Thank God for the foreign press, which reported FACTS in the run-up to the war. BJ
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